Hi All

I’ve been doing th CG Method since September last year, and I’ve suddenly noticed over the last few weeks the hair either side of my face has really started to break off.  I’ve always had a small amout of breakage from being pregnant, but that was barely noticable - i now have about an inch and half of hair then its completely broken off :(  this looks awful espceially when I tie my hair up.  I haven’t notice any hair coming away in the shower, it just seems to have broken off.

I haven’t started using anything new on my hair.  I do tend to wash it nearly every day as I go to the gym alot and like to shower and co wash it so it feel fresh.  My second day hair (when I haven’t been to the gym) itsn’t great, I used to used hairspary in my hair and a sort of putty stuff before CG which would hold my curls, now they just fall out after being slept on.

I’m wondering if I need to low poo occasionally, but when I used to do this with Boots naked range it made my hair quite dry…

Ohhh I’m tempted to go back to using my sulphate stuff fearing that this happening due to CG…. I don’t understand why its doing this?!

Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks Ladies.

Flower37 - 18 April 2011 07:49 PM

Hi All

I’ve been doing th CG Method since September last year, and I’ve suddenly noticed over the last few weeks the hair either side of my face has really started to break off.  I’ve always had a small amout of breakage from being pregnant, but that was barely noticable - i now have about an inch and half of hair then its completely broken off :(  this looks awful espceially when I tie my hair up.  I haven’t notice any hair coming away in the shower, it just seems to have broken off.

I haven’t started using anything new on my hair.  I do tend to wash it nearly every day as I go to the gym alot and like to shower and co wash it so it feel fresh.  My second day hair (when I haven’t been to the gym) itsn’t great, I used to used hairspary in my hair and a sort of putty stuff before CG which would hold my curls, now they just fall out after being slept on.

I’m wondering if I need to low poo occasionally, but when I used to do this with Boots naked range it made my hair quite dry…

Ohhh I’m tempted to go back to using my sulphate stuff fearing that this happening due to CG…. I don’t understand why its doing this?!

Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks Ladies.

Hi Flower37 - sorry about your breakage. Hair will break if it is damaged. Some questions:

Do you diffuse dry every day?
Do you colour?
Have you experimented with moisture/protein to find the right balance for your hair?
Do you use anything in your hair that would require a surfactant to remove (ie anything that could cause build up?
How often do you tie your hair up?
How long since you gave birth (congrats!)?

These things could all be a factor.

Hi

Thanks for that.
I’m not sure if my hair likes protein or moisture, how do u tell? Is there a test I can do for this?
I do tie it up into a pony when I’m at the gym so I guess that could be it, I try not to diffuse and let my hair air dry as much as possible, and I tend to just blast it at the end.

I’ve been using OS mint to co wash, then Knot today to con, and I’ll leave a bit in.
Have used Darcys Bot curly coils to style with the key lime when dry, but it doesn’t work as well as Boots purple Gel, however my scalp, especially at the nape of my neck feels itchy when using this.

My daughters are 8 and 11 so haven’t been pregnant for ages lol!

I did a AVC Rinse last night and my hair was much curlier, but now it feels quite dry!
I think a deep condition treatment would be good, Maybe I need to do that more. I use the boots coconut one, but is there one I could get that’s more like a mask?  A leave in over night job?

I used to always use tresemme mousse before CG which would make my curly look fab, are there any
mousses that are CG? I think Gels sit too heavy on my hair?

Thanks
X

Based on what you’ve said, I think there’s a possibility you may need to add some protein to your routine - that should help your hair retain strength (and length).  Given that it’s breaking a couple inches down the shaft, that would suggest there’s a weak spot that needs repair - which is what protein will help fix.

FWIW, though, I get random periods when I get loads (I mean LOADS) of short little fly-aways like this.  I think it’s fairly normal - all part of the hair growth process.  As long as a significant amount doesn’t start breaking, I wouldn’t worry too awful much.

Another possibility is that your hair is coated, in hard water, or conditioner etc.  I find my hair benefits from shampoo (particularly chelating shampoo - the water here is rock hard), but you don’t have to do it all the time - you could use your old shampoo once a week to remove the build up.

Flower37 - 19 April 2011 08:00 AM

Hi

Thanks for that.
I’m not sure if my hair likes protein or moisture, how do u tell? Is there a test I can do for this?
I do tie it up into a pony when I’m at the gym so I guess that could be it, I try not to diffuse and let my hair air dry as much as possible, and I tend to just blast it at the end.

I’ve been using OS mint to co wash, then Knot today to con, and I’ll leave a bit in.
Have used Darcys Bot curly coils to style with the key lime when dry, but it doesn’t work as well as Boots purple Gel, however my scalp, especially at the nape of my neck feels itchy when using this.

My daughters are 8 and 11 so haven’t been pregnant for ages lol!

I did a AVC Rinse last night and my hair was much curlier, but now it feels quite dry!
I think a deep condition treatment would be good, Maybe I need to do that more. I use the boots coconut one, but is there one I could get that’s more like a mask?  A leave in over night job?

I used to always use tresemme mousse before CG which would make my curly look fab, are there any
mousses that are CG? I think Gels sit too heavy on my hair?

Thanks
X

Re diffusing: yikes - blasting not a good idea. Low/med is best!

Re protein/moisture - there are sticky threads at the top of the newbies forum which give loads of info on this and more. I would def say it would help if you could get the balance right between the two (need protein to help ‘patch’ damage and strengthen and moisture to keep hair hydrated and supple).

Anthing with mint or tea tree could aggravate if you are sensitive - they are very strong. Perhaps switch your cowash to something else. It is best to stop using anything that makes you sore or itchy, so would be good to investigate the cause.

If ACV rinse right for your hair, then hair should feel ‘smoother’ after using. If you think it has had a drying effect, I would avoid for the moment.

I don’t use mousse myself but know chm does (can’t remember which one tho’) - perhaps she’ll see this and chip in. Mousse can be notoriously drying however as they often contain alcohol.

I hope this has helped some.

Flower37 - 19 April 2011 08:00 AM

Hi

Thanks for that.
I’m not sure if my hair likes protein or moisture, how do u tell? Is there a test I can do for this?
I do tie it up into a pony when I’m at the gym so I guess that could be it, I try not to diffuse and let my hair air dry as much as possible, and I tend to just blast it at the end.

I’ve been using OS mint to co wash, then Knot today to con, and I’ll leave a bit in.
Have used Darcys Bot curly coils to style with the key lime when dry, but it doesn’t work as well as Boots purple Gel, however my scalp, especially at the nape of my neck feels itchy when using this.

My daughters are 8 and 11 so haven’t been pregnant for ages lol!

I did a AVC Rinse last night and my hair was much curlier, but now it feels quite dry!
I think a deep condition treatment would be good, Maybe I need to do that more. I use the boots coconut one, but is there one I could get that’s more like a mask?  A leave in over night job?

I used to always use tresemme mousse before CG which would make my curly look fab, are there any
mousses that are CG? I think Gels sit too heavy on my hair?

Thanks
X

Hi Flower37 - I use the Joico Mousse and also the Paul Mitchell one sometimes.  I tend not to use for long stretches but will now and again have a couple of mousse days (once a mousse lover always a mousse lover!) I have tried the alcohol free mousses but unfortunately didn’t have much luck with them. 

I would agree with what CT is saying in her post.  Try that new Garnier camouflage gel instead of the boots one (its pretty cheap -not as cheap as the boots one-  and is 97% - I think - natural ingredients - well according to them) but it feels ok - not drastically hard. 

Thanks ladies, ill have a look at the stickys on moisture and protein, the canopy is feeling really dry but underneath it’s better, my hair is always curlier on top.
I’ll try that Gel as well as I’m nearly out of the boots one, definitely think it’s this that makes my head itch. I’ve used the almond original source conditioner, so may go back to that one as think the mint one maybe too strong..I’ll have a trip to Boots and let u know the results!

Hi Flower 37. When you said you use OS for some reason I thought you meant Organic Surge not Original Source. I’ve had a look at the ingredients.

Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetrimonium Chloride, Mentha Arvensis (Mint) Leaf Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-39, Citric Acid, Methyl Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Limonene, Panthenol, Linalool, Benzophenone-1,
Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, CI 19140, CI 42090

Ok so dryness might be due to the fact that it is does not have very moisturising ingredients high on the list. Cetrimoniom Chloride regarded as an irritant causing allergies and immunotoxicology. Hence itchy scalp.  Isopropyl Alcohol is the stuff that dries out hair.

All conditioners are not created equal. I co-wash with Naked Rescue Shea Butter & olive oil intensive care conditioner. Ingredient 4 and 5 is olive oil and shea butter. Maybe you need to switch to an organic conditioner or one from the Emporium.  Washing your hair every day may be actually drying it out.  Also as said above, you should probably deep condition once or twice a week. You haven’t said if you strands are thick or thin. If thin you need protein treatment. Also over-manipulating you hair with fingers, tools and a non-silk/satin pillowcase will make your hair break.  Also if you rinse out the conditioner from your canopy first that will cause dryness as this is the most exposed to the elements and your finger twirling. Don’t put anything on your scalp after cleansing apart from a natural oil. Definately not gel. Olive oil mixed with tea tree or rosemary essential oil works for my itchiness.

I know it’s quite a lot and I certainly haven’t figure out everything with my hair. But I have come to the conclusion that if you haven’t been treating your hair like a fine silk scarf, it will revolt with breakage, dryness, frizzies, weird colour and itching to drive you crazy. It’s about pampering your hair back into the happy zone. Good luck let us know how it goes.

Thanks for your reply MH, I’m still having problems with my hair :(
Also going on holiday next week so don’t want to make a bad situation worse with sun sand and sea!!

My hair has thin strands, it’s still falling out loads and feels very dry despite trying to wash it less, having a good diet, taking vit pills for healthy hair etc.

I think it lacks both moisture and protein, and head still itchy.
I’ve just bought some CJDF and the Curls ina bottle to see if that helps, have oy used it once with KKNT, which I don’t think my hair likes. I think as it’s starting to turn grey it’s so dry. I do tip my haid upside down when in the shower To be extra gentle with it, but can seeall of it disappearing down the plug!!!! Yikes!!! I’m not sure what to do!!

I like the sound of oils/Shea butter, where do u get that from? When u say ‘naked’ is that Boots naked range? I used their condish as a lowpoo and my hair hated that as well!!!

Ahhhhhhhh!!!! Please help! I’m literally pulling my hair out!!! :(

Hi Flower37. Sorry your are still having problems. I’m having some breakage problems at the moment because I went on a months holiday in the sand sun and sea. Let’s just say I didn’t have room in my suitcase/backpack for all of my usual haircare products. I must try harder! If you’ve got space and time pack your products in some small bottles and find something with sunscreen in it. If you are still not sure what to put on your hair, go to Aveda or a natural hair salon and ask them for a protein and moisture treatment.

Have you tried what everyone else has suggested?

If your hair is thin, you need protein in your daily and weekly hair care regiment.
If it is dry you need moisturisers also daily and weekly. Annoyingly grey hair is notoriously dry and resistant.

Have you been doing the deep treatments? you need to do them twice a week.

Have you been putting anything on your scalp? You can try the Curly girl method of a sugar scalp scrub. Section you hair into small sections and gently massage each section of scalp. Then rinse out.

I’m suprised by the products you have mentioned. They are not specifically for dry, weak, breaking and fine hair. I couldn’t use any of these as they are not moisturising or conditioning enough and they have no protein.

Original Source…has alcohol…drying bad.
Kinky Curly Knot today….more a detangler not enough moisturing enough
Not moisturing enough for a leave in
Curl Junkie Daily Fix…not moisturing enough
Curls in a bottle. more a styling product.

I’m suprised you didn’t buy anything from the Curl Junkie Dry Damaged kit. Each product in the kit has protein in it and is highly moisturising with shea butter, jojoba, olive oil, aloe vera high on the ingredient list. You need to carefully scrutinise each product you buy…otherwise it’s a waste of money unless its sample size to trial.

Most pure natural ingredients, oils or butters are available in your local health or organic store or online at a reasonable price.  Some people use what is in their cupboards already. Coconut milk in a can, olive oil and eggs for protein.

We can lose up to 100 hairs a day which seems like a lot. You may also what to try protective styling, (gentle up-dos wrapped in a scarf or hat to protect the ends of hair.) while on holiday.

All I can say is do what I have been doing for the past two weeks. Monday, deep moisturing treatment, left on for an hour with heat (heat cap, hooded dryer or wrapped in a warm damp towel.) Thursday deep protein treatment after organic biotin non-sulfate non paraben shampoo left on for an hour with heat (heat cap, hooded dryer or wrapped in a warm damp towel.) Morning- protein spray(Label M- probably not CG), shea butter leave in and soybean oil to seal in moisture. Night -shea butter leave in and oil to seal. I also sleep in a satin scarf. I’ve definately seen a reduction in shedding.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

Oh forgot to ask. Which Naked from Boots did you use? They have lots of different ones. I like the Rescue one because of the shea butter and the Strengthening one has coconut oil in it. I also use their Repairing treatment. You can get a big jar in Boots or a small sachet. Here is their website link

http://www.nakedbodycare.co.uk/hair.html

Also I don’t think you Boots Coconut and Almond intensive hair mask is strong enough to condition, moisturise and repair damage. What are the ingredients on the back label?

Hi

Just noticed the boots intensive hair mask has Cetyl alcohol in it so probably not good either!!! Other ingredients are cocamide mda, stearamidpropyl dimethylamine, phenoxethanol, cetrimonium chloride, hydroxyethylcellulose, lactic acid, citruis acid, prunus amygdalus, duo is oil, dipropylene glycol, perfume, cocos nucifera extract, sorbitol, methylparaben!  All sounds a bit synthetic!!!  Ahhhh think I will have q visit down to the health food shop before my holiday and see if they have anything, I used to use V05 hot oils before going CG and my hair looked lovely after those.
So do you literally slap on olive oil straight out of a bottle? Would that before co washing or after??

I didn’t realise that CJ had an dry damaged range. I think part of my problem is I go to the gym nearly every day so need to co wash my hair because I’ve been sweating, and I would feel dirty not doing so. Is there a protein treatment you can buy?

Many thanks!

Lol! Flower37. You need to research you ingredients more.  Isopropyl alcohol is bad. Cetyl alcohol and Cetearyl alcohol are good. Here is another link:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/180097-cetyl-alcohol-benefits-for-hair/

With the olive oil.. I mix it with my deep conditioner hence the “special blend”. Some people people do something called a pre-poo. They put the oil on before co-washing/low poo-ing the roots and scalp. I’m far too lazy for this so I just add it to my conditioner.

There are a lot of protein treatments in the emporium. At a large holland and barratt you can buy A’kin protein treatment conditioner. Some health/organic stores sell Jasons or Aubrey conditioners with protein in them. Check the labels front and back.

Types of protein are, collagen protein, silk protein, wheat protein,keratin protein, amino acids protein, soy protein, milk protein and oat protein. Protein is often hydrolyzed to make it easier to penetrate and be absorbed into the hair shaft.

If you are going to wash it every day, probably make sure the products are strong in moisturising and protein ingredients.

Happy shopping.

Thanks for all the advice and the link, that was really useful - seems like I need to educate myself on all of these chemicals!!!

I think I’ll whip up a special blend tomorrow evening and leave it on for a bit, see if that helps.  I’m going to take a trip to H&B tomorrow and see what they have in, I’m just conscious that I’m going to be in the sun and need to try and protect my hair.  I used to use a spray that had sun factor in it for hair, with sun/sea shampoo/condish from Charles Worthington but again I doubt that is CG.  I’m also going to take my products, have a big 20K baggage allowance and half of it will have hair products in it!

Thanks again for all your advice, really appreciate it.
x

Can definitely recommend the sugar exfoiliator wash!  I use it myself once a week, and really helps to get rid of any buildup and keep the itchy’s at bay!  Mix 1 tbsp brown sugar with 3 tbsp conditioner (I use Tresemme Naturals, as it has a thin consistency), apply to scalp, and massage in for a minute or two, concentrating on any particular itchy bits.  Rinse well (you have to get rid of the sugar!!), then follow with your normal conditioner.  I find this really works for me:-)

If your hair likes protein, I can also recommend the Mop Top Product range; my hair loves this stuff!  I also use MOP deep protein treatment once a week, and find it a great help!

All the best,
Emma.

PS. ACV rinses are great, but you must follow with a DT (Deep Treatment); as you have found these can be drying!